Game Design Basics English

Game Design Basics

Digital Design 2023

• Narrow down to your chosen topic.

• Then brainstorm HOW the game could work.

Then Mechanics

• You need a concept.

• Don't even worry about mechanics or rules yet.

• The general idea comes first.

Brainstorm Topics

1: Generating Ideas

Open Ended

What are 4 possible "Main Driving Forces" for a game?

2: Game Types

What kind of game are you making?

• There are a ton of tabletop game formats to choose from when considering a board game.

• Use the following link to learn more about different styles (part 3 Abstract Strategy Game to part 8 RPGs).

How To Design A Tabletop Board Game

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Match

Match the following game categories with their description

• A sort-of puzzle for each player to solve

• Players win by working with each other to achieve goal

• Focus on social play, resource gathering, and strategy

• Pit players against each other in secret

• Play as a character, follow their ideals, and accomplish their goals

Abstract Strategy Games

Cooperative Games

Eurogame

Hidden Traitor Games

RPGs

• Abstract Strategy Games

• Cooperative Games

• Eurogame

• Hidden Traitor Games

• RPGs

• Your ideas can and will change here

• Refinement comes later

• Figure out what works

Allow for Change

• Make a model of the game to start testing it out

• Something is better than nothing

Build Something

3: Prototypes

Open Ended

Why is it beneficial to prototype one system at a time?

Open Ended

How can prototyping change your original ideas?

4: Design Considerations

It's not just the rules, but how you play

And who can play the game? And how many people? And how do you reach your target audience? And how do you let everyone play?

Read sections 9 (Coming Up with a Board Game Idea) through 14 (Choices) at the following link.

How To Design A Tabletop Board Game

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Open Ended

Why is accessibility important in board game design?

Open Ended

How does the number of players in a game impact game mechanics?

5: Playtesting

• You've made a working prototype. You've tested systems.

• Now you see if it actually works together.

• Don't worry about perfection. Refinement comes later.

Open Ended

How does the playtesting process improve the quality of a board game?

6: Iterating

• Now is the time for refinement.

• Finalize those graphics and design elements.

Refinement

• What worked in the playtest?

• What didn't?

• What do we change?

Here we go again

Open Ended

Explain the idea of the "perfection trap" in your own words. How do you think you can move through it when designing your game?